Gun Safety

Many Americans have at least one or more firearms in
their home. For some the firearm represents a means
to protect themselves and family or they may use it
for hunting or other sporting activities, while others
have the firearm because it was passed on to them from
a deceased relative. Whatever the reason you have a
firearm in the house, you must exercise extreme caution
with the weapon.

The first step in being safe is

Always
handle the gun as if it were loaded.

Even if you personally took every bullet out of the
gun, assume it is still loaded. In many instances
where a person is accidentally shot, the person handling
the gun thought it was unloaded.

Know how to handle any firearm in your possession.

Individuals will sometimes purchase a weapon (either
long gun or handgun) without ever knowing how to properly
handle the gun. Take a course on gun safety, and don’t
purchase any gun you are not competent in handling.
Often time accidental discharge occurs when the person
handling the weapon does not know how to properly
load and unload the weapon.

If you purchased the weapon for protection
. . .

Be sure you understand the laws in your community
governing the carrying a weapon and the use of deadly
force. If you pull a gun on an intruder and don’t
know how or are unwilling to use the weapon, the intruder
could take the weapon away and use it on you or your
loved ones.

Keep firearms secured.

Guns of any type should be stored unloaded and locked.
This is especially true if there are children who
live or visit your home. It is a good idea to not
only lock your weapon(s) but also partially disassemble
the weapon (i.e. remove the bolt from a rifle and
store in separate location. This way if the weapon
is discovered by a child or intruder the gun is not
only locked but also inoperable.

Handle ammunition just as securely as the
weapon.

Loose ammunition can be discharged by accident even
without a weapon. Every bullet must be handled with
care and stored/secured properly. Do not keep old
ammunition in your possession.